- The best numbers from Palace's World Cup contingent
- The best stats from the first two rounds of games
It’s finally here. The 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway on Thursday 11th June, when co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa in the opening game – the first of a record 104 matches at this World Cup, due to the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.
With 13 of our players involved – and every single one reaching the knockout stages – there have been records broken galore for club and country, with numerous Palace players excelling on the world stage.
As we move forwards into the Round of 32, here's your full guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup – through South London eyes...
How are our players getting on in the knockout rounds?
The only Eagle whose nation was involved on Sunday (28th) evening, Owen Goodman and co-hosts Canada reached the last 16 of the competition with a last-gasp 1-0 win over South Africa.
The Palace Academy goalkeeper, yet to feature thus far in the tournament, was on the bench for the match in Los Angeles, which was won in the 92nd minute by a well-taken strike by Stephen Eustaquio.
On Monday, Daichi Kamada and Japan were cruelly denied a place in the last 16 after falling to a last minute goal from Brazil in Houston.
Japan started the better side and led when Kaishu Sano pounced on Danilo's loose pass to drive past Casemiro and drill the ball into the bottom corner.
In a hard-fought midfield battle, Kamada picked up a yellow card for a foul on Bruno Guimaraes before the break. Yet Japan retained control, until Casemiro levelled for Brazil in the second-half with a smart header.
Kamada was then substituted with 12 minutes of normal time remaining, just as the tie looked certain to be heading for extra-time. But it was not to be.
Guimaraes slipped a clever pass to Gabriel Martinelli in the fifth minute of injury-time, who duly won the game.
Japan's wait for a knockout stage win at the World Cup goes on, but Kamada and his teammates will be proud of their efforts over the last few weeks.
